“Oh, isn’t he lovely, / this blind black boy, / born to love everyone?” Part biography, part finger-snapping, hip-wriggling verbal riffs, this tribute to an American musical genius conveys both the facts of his life and the rhythms—not to mention snatches of actual lyrics—of his music. Cohen cooks right along, with brightly hued, graphic-style scenes of the musician, head distinctively cocked, fronting evocative sprays of stars, flowers and beads, ribbons of piano keys and color. Closing with a recap and chronology, and even provided with a 2-song CD for a soundtrack, this will energize new listeners—and old ones, too. (Picture book/biography. 6-8)
Pub Date: April 4, 2005
ISBN: 0-618-34060-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
Examining Calder’s childhood and young adulthood, Stone focuses on his interest in craft and machinery. The child of artists, an engineering graduate and a tinkerer from the get-go, Sandy made toys, jewelry and even quick-study wire portraits for friends encountered on Parisian streets. His miniature circus, constructed of wire, cork and other found objects, grew to fill five suitcases that trundled between New York and Paris for engrossing, kinetic performances. The lively text shines with apt details. Quotes peppering the narrative, though unattributed specifically, seem carefully interpolated. “People said: ‘He has discovered, in playing, a new world.’ His art ‘has the force of the ocean.’ ” Kulikov’s mixed-media illustrations anchor black-and-white sketches (portraying Calder’s processes, tools and sources of inspiration) within full-color spreads that playfully celebrate the text. Sandy, shouldering a thick lariat of wire, bicycles through a 1920s Paris teeming with canvas-schlepping artists. His elegant, ever-present laurel-wreathed muse hovers nearby, with a palette (or, in one spread, lugging some of those suitcases). Spritely, noteworthy and nicely timed to Calder’s 110th birthday. (author’s note, source note) (Picture book/biography. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-670-06268-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The Republican nominee’s eldest daughter announces at the outset that her dad would make a great president and then proceeds to explain why. Recapping in broad strokes his schooling, his military career, his years of captivity in Vietnam and his entry into politics, she highlights his courage, his patriotism and most especially his bulldog refusal to give up when faced with adversity or reversals of fortune. Conveying tone more than action, Andreasen’s honey-hued, full-bleed paintings interleaf static re-creations of major incidents with reproductions of snapshots, medals and significant artifacts, along with portraits viewed from low angles to give their subject an evocatively larger-than-life air. Children won’t learn anything about the candidate’s take on significant issues, his day-to-day work or even what his overall goals are, but they will come away appreciating his strength of character—whether or not they (or their parents) buy the author’s argument that that’s enough for presidential greatness. (Picture book/biography. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7528-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2008
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